Cookies on the NHS website
We've put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work.
We'd also like to use analytics cookies. These send information about how our site is used to services called Adobe Analytics, Hotjar and Google Analytics. We use this information to improve our site.
Let us know if this is OK. We'll use a cookie to save your choice. You can read more about our cookies before you choose.
I'm OK with analytics cookies Do not use analytics cookies
Search the NHS website
Search
My account
Health A-Z
Live Well
Mental health
Care and support
Pregnancy
Browse
More
Home Health A to Z
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test
A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test measures the amount of LDH in the blood.
Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that the body uses during the process of turning sugar into energy for your cells to use.
LDH is found in many of the body's tissues and organs, including the muscles, liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, brain and blood cells.
The LDH test is mainly used to help identify the location and severity of tissue damage in the body.
It's also sometimes used to monitor how far certain conditions have progressed.
These include: 
kidney disease
liver disease
some types of cancer
In the past, LDH levels were also used to help diagnose and monitor heart attacks. But other tests are now usually used to do this.
Read more about the LDH test at Lab Tests Online UK.
Page last reviewed: 09 August 2018
Next review due: 09 August 2021
Support links
Home
Health A to Z
Live Well
Mental health
Care and support
Pregnancy
NHS services
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NHS App
Find my NHS number
Your health records
About the NHS
Healthcare abroad
Contact us
Other NHS websites
Profile editor login
About us
Accessibility statement
Our policies
Cookies
© Crown copyright